Cycling: Behind Twin Sisters to Estes Park

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp by Gordon S. Novak Jr.

It is possible to travel by bicycle from Meeker Park to Estes
Park by following four-wheel-drive roads through National
Forest lands behind the Twin Sisters mountains. This is
an interesting trip that provides good altitude training, since
it requires some 1500 feet of elevation gain. The route begins
from Cabin Creek Road, which turns east off Highway 7, south of
Estes Park, at Mile 11.5 in Meeker Park.

After turning onto Cabin Creek Road, follow the dirt road until
it ends at a T junction; turn right at the T, following Cabin
Creek eastward for about a mile. Then the road turns to the
north and there is a sign about National Forest access.
A map and compass (as well as some water -- none on route) are
probably a good idea. There are markers
along the road; in general, keep to the left at intersections
and head north. The route takes you uphill to House Rock and
Pierson Park. There are some
barbed-wire fences that may need to be opened and re-closed.

After the top of the route, the road is downhill, sometimes
steeply, most of the rest of the way. Use caution when there
are washboard ruts across the road, since these can cause loss
of control at higher speeds. The route will come out near the
intersection of Fish Creek Road and Highway 7, near Cheley Camp.
From there, one can go up onto Highway 7 and then into town via
Highway 7 or Mary's Lake, or continue down Fish Creek Road and
come out at Lake Estes near the high school.

This route is well suited to mountain bikes, although I have
always done it on a road bike. You should be prepared to be
relatively self-sufficient, since there isn't much traffic on
this road.